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Welcome to Our Holiday & Seasonal Newsletter!

Featuring the latest news and holiday trends from the best sources, our friends in Galena.

Reduce Stress and Promote Happiness With This Holiday Gift Guide

(StatePoint) Mental health is a critical part of overall wellness. And this holiday season, you can support the well-being of your loved ones with thoughtful gift-giving. From stocking stuffers to big reveal items, use this gift guide below to put a smile on the face of loved ones:

• Bath bombs: Bath bombs can be used to create a spa-like environment at home and are a great choice for anyone who needs a gentle reminder to unwind. Be sure to select bath bombs made from such calming ingredients as lavender, bergamot and ylang-ylang for an added aromatherapy boost.

• A weighted blanket: Over 40 million people in the United States have long-term, chronic sleep disorders. Sleep deprivation is not only often caused by poor mental health, it can also exacerbate issues like anxiety and depression. Help your gift recipient get higher quality sleep with a weighted blanket. Cozy and comfortable on cool nights, they use pressure therapy to mimic the feeling of being hugged or held, and can help alleviate symptoms of anxiety, sleep disorders, ADHD and autism in children and adults.

• A new ride: More than just a toy or gadget, a bicycle represents the freedom to explore the outdoors, spend time with friends and family, make memories and establish routines that promote physical and mental wellbeing. And of course, it can also provide that stress-relieving, mood-boosting release of endorphins. From traditional mountain bikes and cruisers to battery ride-ons and e-bikes, Huffy offers bikes for both kids and adults alike have more functions and features than ever before, and promise to bring the wow factor during gift-giving. For kids and teens age 8-15, consider something extra special, like the newly redesigned Green Machine from Huffy, which is engineered to allow for adrenaline-pumping 180-degree drifts and turns, and offers dual-lever pivot steering. Riding, drifting and spinning this trike activates LED light effects and patterns, and adjustable seating supports a wide range of rider heights so that it can grow with a younger gift recipient, and help dial in the fit for a comfortable ride.

• Culinary inspiration: For those who love to bake, the “Mind over Batter” cookbook by licensed psychotherapist and baker, Jack Hazan, will combine their passion with a little self-care. Great for bakers of all abilities and anyone looking for new ways to approach mental health, the cookbook features practical self-care advice alongside 75 approachable recipes for savory and sweet baked goods.

• A massage: Stress affects not only the mind but the body as well. Help alleviate the muscle tension associated with stress with a gift certificate for a massage. Be sure you send your gift recipient to a licensed massage therapist. There are many forms of massage therapy, so if you happen to know your loved one’s personal preference, try to find that out in advance, or send them to a facility that practices many forms of massage so they can make a choice that best suits their needs.

From gifts that exercise the body during the day to those that relax the mind at night, you can add holiday cheer to the season with thoughtfully selected presents that support mental health and overall wellbeing.

Make Your Holiday Season Shopping Game Plan With These Insider Insights

Give the Gift of Comfort This Holiday Season

(StatePoint) The holiday season is upon us and what better way to spread warmth and joy than by giving the gift of comfort? Use this gift guide to embrace coziness and style, while making the holiday season truly unforgettable for everyone on your list.

1. Snuggly Socks: Cozy socks are the perfect stocking stuffers to keep your loved ones feeling toasty all season long. Choose from a variety of patterns and materials to match their style, whether it’s trendy animal prints or timeless solid colors. Socks not only add a touch of flair to winter outfits, but also keep gift recipients comfortably snug.

2. Fur-Lined Crocs: Crocs aren’t just for the summer! The brand’s versatile insulated options are perfect for both indoor relaxation and outdoor adventures. With a plush fur lining, they provide the cozy warmth needed to conquer chilly days. Whether running errands or lounging at home, fur-lined Crocs are the ideal gift to keep feet comfy and fashion-forward.

3. Jibbitz Charms: Jibbitz, the iconic charms designed for Crocs, make for delightful stocking stuffers that allow wearers to elevate and personalize their footwear. Choose from an assortment of shapes, colors and designs to reflect the personality of everyone on your list.

4. Hats and Gloves: Winter accessories are practical and thoughtful gifts for the season. From knitted beanies and gloves to fleece baseball caps, there are many styles to choose from, helping gift recipients feel stylish and put together while staying warm outdoors. These small but meaningful gifts showcase your attention to detail.

5. Luxurious Slippers: After a long day of festivities, there's nothing quite like slipping into a pair of luxurious slippers. Whether your loved ones prefer faux fur or memory foam, slippers provide the ultimate relaxation experience, making them a fantastic gift choice for unwinding during the holiday season.

For heartwarming gift ideas that seamlessly blend comfort, style and functionality, visit rackroomshoes.com. For one-stop-shopping, visit a Rack Room Shoes in your area, for more fun and exclusive accessories and stocking stuffers only available in store.

Want to spread cheer this holiday season? By shopping with cozy comfort in mind while keeping an eye on stylish details, you can help friends and family feel loved.

How to Handle Furniture Spills, Stains and Dents

(StatePoint) Furniture is what makes a house a home, however new research shows daily life leaves fixtures and fittings vulnerable to damage.

In its “Furniture Damage Survey,” Allstate Protection Plans found that more than 242 million Americans have damaged furniture, and 37% of damaged items were less than a year old. Here are some of the survey’s top findings, along with advice for saving time and money on repairs and replacements:

• The Financial Hit: An estimated $23.5 billion has been spent by 82 million Americans replacing and repairing damaged items. The average cost of furniture repairs runs at $287. Almost half (49%) of damaged furniture originally cost more than $500 and nearly a quarter (21%) cost more than $1,000. The majority of people who damaged furniture (51%) say they spent additional money repairing or replacing it.

• Hot Seats: Sofas are by far the most damaged item (34%), followed by dining room tables or chairs (11%), kitchen tables or chairs (9%), and recliners or other living room seating (8%). Most furniture (57%) was damaged in the living room, with 15% of incidents happening in the dining room, 9% in the master bedroom and 6% in the kitchen.

• No Thrills from Spills. The leading cause of damage is spills, accounting for 54% of furniture damage. Other top causes are breaks (20%), dents and scratches (18%), rips or tears (17%) and burns (6%). Beverages are the dominant offenders for spills (48%) followed by ink/paint/marker (16%) and food (10%).

• The Cover-Up: Almost half (46%) of people who have damaged furniture reported that they tried to fix or clean the items themselves. However, only 56% of those who took a DIY approach say their efforts were successful. Sixty-one percent of Americans have tried to hide or cover up damage.

• Don’t Blame the Kids or Cat: Adults in the household are the most likely to cause damage, with children only accounting for 26% of incidents. When it comes to four-legged friends, dogs are 2.4 times more likely to have damaged furniture than cats.

• Prevention and Cure: To prevent damage, Americans apply pre-stain treatments (37%), put towels or sheets over furniture (36%), and place slipcovers or plastic sheeting on furniture (28%). When the worst occurs, the majority of people say they are most likely to turn to their homeowners or renters insurance for help. Only 16% of respondents said their furniture was covered by a protection plan and fewer than half (48%) were aware such plans were available for furniture.

“People are used to investing in protection plans for their appliances and electronics, but they don’t give as much thought to protecting their furniture,” said Jason Siciliano, vice president and global creative director at Allstate Protection Plans. “This is surprising given the data behind how frequently people must repair furniture and how costly it is to do so. Investing in a protection plan at the point of purchase is only a fraction of the cost of a new couch.”

Furniture protection plans cover repairs or replacements without claims negatively impacting homeowners or renters insurance premiums. Beyond purchasing protection plans, Siciliano also recommends extending the life of furniture with such measures as pet-proofing and using the right cleaning solution for each type of upholstery or material. For more information on protecting prized possessions, visit: allstateprotectionplans.com.

Rips, spills and stains are part of life, but spending a fortune repairing and replacing furniture doesn’t have to be. With advance planning, those inevitable incidents and accidents won’t break the bank.

Doctors’ Tips to Stay Healthy During the Holiday Season

(StatePoint) The holiday season is a joyous time to reconnect with family and loved ones, but it also brings unique health and safety risks, according to doctors, who recommend a bit of extra vigilance to protect yourself and those close to you.

“During the hectic holiday season, it can be hard to carve out time to focus on your wellness. Awareness, along with the adoption of a few healthy habits, can help you and your family enjoy this special time of year in the best of health,” says American Medical Association (AMA) president, Jesse M. Ehrenfeld, M.D., M.P.H.

For a healthy, happy season, follow these tips and recommendations from the AMA:

1. Vaccination is the best protection against a number of serious respiratory viruses circulating this fall and winter. To protect yourself and your family, get up to date on your vaccines, including the annual flu shot, as well as the updated COVID-19 vaccine for everyone 6 months and older. Vaccines are also available to protect older adults from severe RSV. New tools to protect infants during RSV season include maternal vaccination as well as the monoclonal antibody immunization.

If you have questions, speak with your physician and review trusted resources, including getvaccineanswers.org.

2. Watch what you eat this holiday season. Pay particular attention to labels and avoid processed foods as much as you can, especially those with added sodium and sugar. Drink water instead of sugar-sweetened beverages, and eat nutritious, whole foods like fresh fruits and vegetables alongside richer holiday fare.

3. If you’re consuming alcohol, drink only in moderation. The U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans defines that as up to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men, and only by adults of legal drinking age.

4. Make time to exercise during this busy time of year. A good rule of thumb for adults is at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity, or 75 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity activity. Brisk walks, or even a family trip to the gym, can provide easy and fun ways to get off the couch and elevate your heart rate over the holiday season. If you’re traveling, don’t forget to pack your sneakers!

5. Factors like holiday spending and navigating time with extended family can bring on extra seasonal stress. Invest in your mental health and manage stress by getting sufficient sleep, exercising and seeking help from a mental health professional when you need it.

6. Make smart choices and plan ahead if you’re driving. In December 2021 alone, 1,013 Americans died in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes. Do not under any circumstances drive if you intend to drink. And if you are the designated driver, make a 100% commitment to sobriety.

7. Get your New Year’s resolutions started early. Speak with your doctor or health care professional about quitting tobacco and nicotine use, and declare your home and car smoke-free to eliminate secondhand smoke exposure.

“Amid the holiday cheer, don’t neglect your health and safety. By eating well, exercising, and taking necessary steps to stop the spread of respiratory viruses, you can help protect yourself against common seasonal health risks,” say Dr. Ehrenfeld.

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